WonderCon

A panel on the TNT's sci-fi series "Falling Skies" kicks off at midday Saturday and, if everything goes as expected, a few minutes later the Internet will start to buzz with tweets and photos and updates about the show, its upcoming season premiere and the stars on hand at WonderCon this weekend.

Soon after that, in a different room at the Anaheim Convention Center, a similar scene will unfold as cast and creators from "Revolution" share insights into the remaining storylines of the NBC series' first season.

While WonderCon, like its big brother Comic-Con, has its origins roots in the world of comic books, science fiction and fantasy, as that universe expanded over the years, movies and television came to claim a bigger and bigger share.

So we wondered what kind of value the networks see in bringing unseen episodes, sneak peeks, cast and crew members to events such as WonderCon, and rang up a few network folks to find out.

"It's really critically important to be here," said Tricia Melton, senior vice president for band and entertainment marketing at Turner Broadcasting, the parent of the TNT network which airs "Falling Skies." "We have a unique opportunity to talk to a fan base who really, really loves the show, loves this genre and likes to be immersed in it.

"They really want to be the first to know what's coming," she said. "They're very interested in the cast and the show, and it really provides us the opportunity to bring this unique opportunity to the fans."

Tammy Golihew, senior vice president for publicity at Warner Bros. Television expressed similar views on the importance of bringing four of its shows: "Revolution," "Arrow," "The Following" and "Teen Titans Go!"

"There's a couple of reasons we do it," she said. "The first is that we support the organization of Comic-Con year-round. We feel like the relationship with the fans shouldn't only be in July (for Comic-Con). July is the mother ship and the timing is good for a fall launch. But it's also good in March (at WonderCon) because a lot of our series are heading into May sweeps."

Add to that that "Revolution," which debuted last fall, is just now back from a brief hiatus and that "Teen Titans Go!" is premiering on April 23, and WonderCon gives Warner Bros. plenty of reasons to show up, Golihew said.

Beyond simply getting out word about their shows, the networks and producers know that fans at events such as WonderCon aren't your ordinary viewers, too. Instead of tuning in passively, they tend to be more engaged with the show, especially through social media channels.

"People passionate about the show, but also science fiction in general, tend to have a lot of influence," Melton said. "Whether that's with a Twitter following, a Facebook following, or maybe a blog."

Adds Golihew: "We're very excited about amplifying the message. What you have, we call them evangelists or ambassadors, and that is extremely important to us and we track all of that.

"It's definitely something that you're looking for," she said. "We know the power of the fan. We know the power of social media."

There's one final reason why the TV networks and studios and many of those who work for them like to come to WonderCon and similar events: It's a heck of a lot of fun to meet fans who love what you're making on the sets and sound stages.

"Our talent loves going," Golihew says. "It's not a red carpet event where you walk a red carpet and you don't have anything coming back to you. What it is is a communication. The fans are there and they're passionate and I think our people really enjoy experiencing that."

Melton agreed: "I was mesmerized and blown away by the fan passion and fan love," she said of her first trip to Comic-Con in San Diego. "It was amazing. It was like a combination of Mardi Gras and the best costume ball you've ever been to all wrapped up around passion for television. It's fantastic."

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